Change has not always been popular in politics, especially in foreign relations

Cuba

A NEW CUBAN-AMERICAN POLICY evolved in the early nineteenth century, one that dominated American diplomatic relations with the island nation until Fidel Castro came to power. The United States became committed to maintaining the status quo even though the status hardly remained stable during the decades that followed. It was an irrational preference to avoid change at all costs. Ultimately, it cost the United States a great deal.

Guadalupe Victoria (click to enlarge)

Spain was looking in the wrong direction in the early nineteenth century for enemies of its Caribbean empire. From their point of view, America seemed the most likely to foment revolution in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Despite declarations from early Presidents, Spain suspected that the Spirit of '76 lurked in American souls. Every attempt by the United States to establish commercial agents in Cuba were rebuffed. Spain suspected that they would be nothing more than agent provocateurs provoking rebellion on the islands. However, the real threat lay in Spain's former colonies on the mainland of Latin America.

Mexico and Columbia, led by a former rebel leader, Guadalupe Victoria, then President of the independent Mexican Republic, wanted to mount an expedition to drive the last vestiges of Spanish imperialism from the hemisphere. The American President, Clay, and his foreign ministers scrambled to defuse the threat. Clay did not believe that the Mexican and Columbian coalition could defend the islands if they liberated them. He was convinced that the British could easily seize them even though that European power disclaimed any interest. Britain argued that it was already overtaxed maintaining its existing empire.

Simon Bolivar (click to enlarge)

An even greater threat was growing further south. Simon Bolivar had dreams of a united Latin America, a United States of Latin America. Unlike the norteamericanos, Bolivar welcomed British involvement. He called a Congress of leaders from all of the Americas except for the United States and Brazil, who had remained neutral during the various rebellions in Latin America. However, Bolivar did invite British participation. He plans centered around naval support from the British. Against Bolivar's wishes, Mexican and Central American leaders invited a delegation from the United States, but Bolivar limited their participation to observe only. 

The American delegation was sent to disrupt the Latin American Congress, but the two members had no chance to derail the proceedings. One died en route and the other tarried so long that the Congress concluded before he arrived. America's fear of any change in Latin American affairs was assuaged by Mexico and Columbia who held out against Bolivar's ambitious plan.

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In writing Rebels on the Mountain, I explored America's fear of change in Cuba during the period just prior to Castro's rise to power. As a senior officer, my protagonist, Nick Andrews, is welcomed to the inner circles of Havana: American diplomats, business leaders, and mafia. In these milieus I was able to explore the reasons why change was feared. Nick doesn't alter these forces; he can only observe them for the benefit of the reader's understanding.